Although we’ve had discrimination legislation for decades, progress has been far too slow. Clearly the current law has not been working effectively enough across all workplaces, and this new duty will mean improving the protection individuals receive from sexual harassment at work. From 26th October 2024, new legislation will require businesses to take ‘reasonable’ steps…
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The new rates have just been announced and take effect on 6 April 2025. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay see a small increase from £184.03 to £187.18 a week. The earnings threshold for these payments – except for maternity pay – will also go up from £123 to £125 a week. The…
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Mr Taneja joined the company as an area sales manager in June 2021. He was highly regarded within the company’s sales team; however, his employment was terminated after a difficult initial meeting with a new sales director. Mr Taneja brought various claims in the employment tribunal including a claim for harassment related to race. The…
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The new government are making a number of proposed changes to rights for all employees from their first day of employment. This is a significant change and will affect all employers. In October we will understand the timetable and the detail, but we know this will mean changes for family leave, flexible working requests, dismissal…
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It looks like there will be significant changes that will affect all employers in the UK. It is expected that the new law will remove the three-day waiting period, so employers will pay SSP from the first day of sickness. There is also a view that the weekly amount of SSP will increase substantially from…
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Labour made a manifesto pledge to ‘bring in the ‘right to switch off’ ie right of employees to be able to disconnect from work outside of their normal working hours without facing negative consequences or being expected to respond to work-related communications. The Times have reported that the government is now looking at this right…
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Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 which makes disability discrimination unlawful in employment. Not all disabilities are obvious and employers are often confused as to their obligations. We start by understanding the definition of a disability in terms of employment. Substantial impact on day-to-day activities The easiest way to describe a…
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There will be so many changes to employment rights, employers need to consider the impact now. These changes will affect all employers, regardless of size, unionised or not. The new government want to improve employees rights from day one. This will change the way recruitment and probation periods are managed. Processes will become critical. Small…
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Labour have stated that their ‘Plan to Make Work Pay’ will be delivered in full, introducing new legislation within 100 days. Further details will be seen on 17 July 24, when the King’s speech is expected to contain an Employment Rights Bill. What are the key changes to impact on small employers: There are more areas of proposed…
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Employers must by law, pay statutory sick pay (SSP) to employees and workers providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for statutory sick pay, an employee or worker must: – • Be classed as an employee.• Earn at least £123 a week, before tax.• Inform their employer that they are sick…
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When a couple are adopting, in respect of leave and pay entitlements, only one person must be assigned as the ‘primary’ adopter. Adoption Leave and pay is available only to employees who adopt through an adoption agency. Please note that employees who adopt a child on a private basis are not eligible for adoption leave…
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Maternity leave can be complex for small employers this article looks to summarise the key points. Changing the return date If an employee wants to change their return date from maternity leave, they must give the employer at least eight weeks’ notice before the new end date. If the employer is not given enough notice,…
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